Norris vs Piastri: Tension at McLaren after Singapore crash. Rivalry?

Tension in McLaren: The Crash That Shakes Formula 1

The Singapore Grand Prix left more than a surprising victory for George Russell. The focus of attention was on the incident between McLaren teammates, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, a clash that fuels tensions in the drivers’ championship and tests the team’s internal rules. The contact, analyzed meticulously, occurred on the first lap and was considered a racing incident by the stewards. However, in the context of McLaren’s internal struggle, the incident is more delicate, especially with the team’s rules that seek to avoid contact between their drivers.

The Incident: A Detailed View

Norris, from fifth position, had a good start, but in turn 3, while trying to overtake Max Verstappen, touched the rear of the Red Bull. This caused his car to slide and collide with Piastri, who was trying to take a line on the outside. Piastri, visibly frustrated, expressed his discontent over the radio, questioning Norris’s maneuver. Race engineer, Tom Stallard, tried to calm the situation, but Piastri insisted on his discomfort.

“That’s not fair. I’m sorry, that’s not fair.”

Oscar Piastri

From the onboard camera of Piastri’s car, the contact with Verstappen was not visible, which gave him the impression that Norris had lost control and had directly impacted him.

The image shows Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris battling for third place on the first lap of the Singapore Grand Prix.

Reactions and Analysis

Norris defended his action, arguing that any driver would have done the same. Piastri, for his part, preferred to analyze the replays to form his own conclusion. McLaren team boss Andrea Stella explained that the contact between the drivers was a consequence of the collision with Verstappen and, therefore, a racing incident. Stella understood Piastri’s frustration, but emphasized the importance of drivers expressing their feelings over the radio.

What’s Next for McLaren?

With six races remaining, the internal pressure at McLaren will increase. Piastri leads Norris by 22 points, while Verstappen is approaching 63 points. McLaren will need to carefully manage race rules and potential controversies, with the aim of maintaining team harmony and performance. Stella acknowledged the difficulty of balancing the interests of the drivers, but affirmed that the team is committed to the concept of “let them race”. However, the rules of engagement can only do so much, and in borderline situations, each driver will interpret the rules in their favor. McLaren’s future in the championship depends on how they handle this situation in the upcoming races.